Eddie and Myrna Kamae, dedicated documentarians of Hawaiian culture, will share their "The Sons of Hawai‘i: A Sound, a Band, a Legend" film at a "Dinner and a Movie" event 7 p.m. May 25 at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
The free screening, exploring and delineating the influential and impassioned story of the beloved career of the Sons of Hawai‘i, culminates a monthlong series of Q&A discussions via Skype with the Kamaes. The couple have been sharing notes on their Hawaiian Legacy Foundation, which zooms in on personal and exceptional stories of the rainbow of talent in these islands. The Hawaii focus is part of the Smithsonian’s monthlong salute to the rich tapestry of local music, enhanced by a growing library of DVDs that has been championed by the award-winning filmmaking couple. …
ROAD WARRIOR: Looks like Taizo Braden has inherited the morning traffic watch at KHON2, where he recently joined the ranks as a VNJ, a video news journalist, on "Wake Up 2Day."
Tammy Mori, ranking traffic reporter, wanted a break from early-morning duties, which opened up the roadster role to the kiddo who had the task both during morning and afternoon drive times at Hawaii News Now. Braden was dropped from Hawaii News Now last January, with nary a word of explanation to viewers ("a personnel matter," a TV station exec said), so he negotiated a deal at KHON.
Joe McNamara, general manager and president of KHON, said the VNJ situation is now moot, since the traffic assignment evolved. There’s been "positive response from viewers," said McNamara, who’s on the Braden bandwagon. "I would say (the job) should be permanent!" …
WHEELING ALONG: Since not all actors are skaters. Tammy Colucci — director of "Xanadu," the musical on wheels opening June 1 at Diamond Head Theatre — had her cast get roller derby tips from the Aloha City Rollers, who taught the novices how to go jamming but also how to stop. After all, a bad spill could bring injury to actors and even damage to costumes by designer Karen Wolfe. …
And a DHT first: "Xanadu" will put some audience patrons in rink-side seats — but singing’s not allowed, which could be a temptation since the disco score is filled with Olivia Newton-John hits. …
Cast member Garett Taketa, who plays a variety of roles and also understudies the male lead Sonny (portrayed by Anthony Butindaro), will miss a few rehearsals since he flies to El Paso, Texas, Tuesday to represent Hawaii at the National Society of Arts & Letters competition. Taketa, last seen in Manoa Valley Theatre’s "Spring Awakening,"will compete in the musical theater category and will sing, dance and do a monologue — but there’s no skating. The first prize is $10,000, nothing to sneeze at. …
Speaking of MVT: Mary Gutzi (in DHT’s "Sunset Boulevard" last fall) will be emcee-singer at theannual "Manoa Marquee" fundraiser, which will link up for the first time with the Tony Awards, June 10 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Silent and live auctions will be part of the fun, and CBS has enabled MVT to show video snippets from Broadway’s big night that eve. For tickets, call 988-6131. …
MOM’S THE WORD: It’s Mother’s Day, so honor yours with dinner or a show. Frank De Lima, fresh from his lifetime achievement award from the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts, welcomes moms and ohana at his annual buffet and champagne brunch from 10:30 a.m. today at the Pagoda’s C’est Si Bon. The laughfest is at noon; $55 for adults, $25 for kids 3 to 8; call 948-8370. …
If you haven’t made restaurant reservations by now, better start thinking about firing up the hibachi. …
FINALLY: "Hawaii Five-0" winds up a frustrating second season Monday night — a rocky journey with a clutter of counterproductive secondary characters, distancing story arcs, peculiar plots and a weekly struggle for ratings supremacy. Auwe! …
And that’s "Show Biz." …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist; reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com; read his Show and Tell Hawaii blog at www.staradvertiser.com.
